Frame design for a pistol firearm

ABSTRACT

Frame designs for a pistol firearms have a frame, a barrel connected to the frame and having a forward barrel end, a slide connected to the frame and having a forward slide end associated with the forward barrel end, and the frame having a forward frame end protruding beyond the forward slide end and the forward barrel end.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/205,690 filed on Aug. 15, 2015, entitled “FRAME DESIGN FOR A PISTOL FIREARM,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to semi-automatic pistols, and more particularly to their frame designs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Semi-automatic pistols consist of a Slide assembly that sits above the frame which houses the fire control. The firearm works only when the mechanisms are connected and the pistol is in the “ready” or “in battery” position.

A semi-automatic pistol can be rendered inoperable if the slide is pushed rearward as the firearm is no longer “in battery.”

The firearm will only operate if the slide is in its full forward position and the firearm is “in battery.” If the slide is pushed backward a small amount (varies by pistol), then the pistol is rendered inoperable until the slide is returned to its normal firing position. This prohibits the user from firing the pistol should the pistol be against another object, and requires moving the firearm to allow the slide to come to the “ready” position.

A slide can be inadvertently pushed out of battery by a shooter pressing the muzzle against the body of an assailant or a barrier that must be shot through. The slide can also be pushed out of battery by an assailant knowledgeable about this characteristic of auto-loading pistols, by grabbing the gun and pushing the slide back, or even just pushing rearward in the muzzle area of the gun.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved frame design for a pistol firearm that allows the slide to remain in battery and not move rearward when the pistol is pressed against an object. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the frame design for a pistol firearm according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a frame design for a pistol firearm that allows the slide to remain in battery and not move rearward when the pistol is pressed against an object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved frame design for a pistol firearm, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved frame design for a pistol firearm that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.

To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises a frame, a barrel operating in concert with the slide and having a forward barrel end, a slide connected to the frame and having a forward slide end associated with the forward barrel end, and the frame having a forward frame end protruding beyond the forward slide end and the forward barrel end. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right side view of the frame design for a pistol firearm constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the frame design for a pistol firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front (muzzle) view of the frame design for a pistol firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is atop view of the frame design for a pistol firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a right view of the grip frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the grip frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a front (muzzle) view of the grip frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the grip frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a right side view of the firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is an isomeric view of the grip frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a right side view of a firearm of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is an isomeric view of the firearm of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the firearm of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is an isomeric view of the firearm of FIG. 11.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the frame design for a pistol firearm of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

FIGS. 1-10 illustrate the improved frame design for a pistol firearm 10 of the present invention.

More particularly, the frame design for a pistol firearm 10 has an integrated frame that extends the frame beyond the length of the slide and barrel, and includes the tip of the extended frame having points that secure placement of the frame.

In addition, the frame is extended to allow the pistol to be placed at up to a 30° or greater angle against an object before the slide hits the object. This allows the firearm to be functional at an angle of attack against a barrier that may be experienced by the user.

In the preferred embodiment, the forward-most ends of the barrel (muzzle) guide rod (tip) and slide all extend to the same forward distance to be flush with each other when in battery. In the preferred embodiment, the front of the frame extends forward of the slide face by 0.4 inch. This may vary from 0.1 to 1.0 inch depending on the application.

The forward-extending portion of the frame has an upper surface even with the lower edge of the slide, and terminates at a forward upper corner. The slide has a forward upper corner above the frame corner by 1.0 inch. This may vary for different applications, but in the preferred embodiment, the ratio of the horizontal distance between the corners and the vertical distance is 4 to 10 or 1 to 2.5, resulting in a 26.6 degree angle when comparing a line connecting the corners to a vertical line. This may vary from 15 to 45 degrees in alternative embodiments, and preferably between 20 and 40 degrees, and more preferably between 25 and 35 degrees. In alternative embodiments this ratio may vary, with a 1:1 ratio yielding effectiveness when a 45 degree barrier is applied at the muzzle, but with a greater protrusion amount creating a greater overall size of the pistol frame. A 4:1 (or between 2:1 and 4:1) ratio may also be effective with a limited protrusion but some effectiveness against many barriers such as contact-distance shooting against an assailant, or the outreached defensive palm of an assailant.

The forward end of the frame also has a serrated, crenelated or other articulated or sharply pointed shape. This provides secure placement against an object and helps to use the frame as a device to motivate uncooperative subjects by application of pressure to sensitive pressure points, without putting the slide out of battery. The sharp points create a painful sensation that motivates an assailant to retract any pressure from the muzzle.

FIGS. 11-14 illustrate an alternative embodiment in which the frame is of a convention length, with no protrusion beyond the end of the slide or barrel.

While a current embodiment of a frame design for a pistol firearm has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, the frame may extend beyond the Slide to keep the pistol firearm in battery or may extend above and in front of the slide to keep the pistol in battery. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A pistol comprising: a frame; a barrel connected to the frame and having a forward barrel end; a slide connected to the frame and having a forward slide end associated with the forward barrel end; and the frame having a forward frame end protruding beyond the forward slide end and the forward barrel end. 